Beautiful Brands International (BBI) today launched the franchise program for In the Raw Sushi. The announcement coincides with the debut of the brand’s new Web site, www.intherawsushi.com, which offers information on the chain and its franchising opportunities.

“We’re very proud of the debut of this exciting new brand,” says David Rutkauskas, BBI Founder, President and CEO.

“In the Raw will redefine the sushi dining experience as we know it by offering guests incredibly creative and delicious menu choices in a hip and inviting atmosphere. Our franchising campaign includes a strategy of targeted marketing, plus our new website at www.intherawsushi.com to effectively highlight the brand’s wide consumer appeal and global market potential.”

The joint venture between In the Raw and Beautiful Brands International leverages BBI’s organizational and support system to market and franchise the brand on a national and global scale. BBI’s support includes marketing, real estate, architecture, legal, franchise sales, and other aspects of franchise development.

In the Raw is being positioned as a casual-dining, sushi style bistro with a footprint of about 3,000 square feet or less depending on accommodations. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and has an average ticket sale of $18 per person for lunch and $34 per person for dinner. Food items make up seventy percent of total sales of the restaurant while thirty percent is from alcoholic beverages.

“In the Raw is about an experience in dining that few others can recreate,” says Greg Hughes, CEO and owner of In The Raw (ITR).

“Our desire is to outdo ourselves creatively in appealing to our guests with an array of dishes in a fresh, high-energy atmosphere. We know our brand will resonate very well with customers worldwide looking for the best in inspired sushi cuisine with terrific service and best ambiance anywhere.”

Founded in 1998 by Greg Hughes, In the Raw has since grown from a 125-seat restaurant in the Brookside area of Tulsa to five successful stores throughout Oklahoma.

“In the culinary world, the fresh sushi category is absolutely exploding,” says Rutkauskas.

“That’s why we believe this is the perfect time to launch an innovative, quality sushi franchise like In the Raw. We’re confident we can target a sizeable share of the market and turn what was once a single store concept into a winning worldwide franchise.”

In the Raw Sushi is one of 14 concepts marketed and developed by Beautiful Brands International.